Stafford to host world's biggest display of classic motorbikes this weekend. Here are the full details
A unique motorcycle once owned by Lawrence of Arabia will take centre stage at a record-breaking display of rare classic motorcycles in a West Midland park this weekend.
The 96-year-old bike will be one of 24 ultra-rare Brough Superior SS100s at the International Classic Motorcycle Show in Stafford, said to be the biggest display of the bikes the world has ever seen.
The 1929 JTOR V-twin Jap-powered George VI bike will take centre stage at the event at Staffordshire Showground, which this year will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the legendary bike's launch.
Described as the 'Rolls-Royce of motorcycles', a total of 343 of the bikes were made during a 16-year production run.
Col Thomas Edward Lawrence, who briefly stayed in Wolverhampton while working incognito at the Henry Meadow works at Fallings Park, owned seven Superiors - four of them being SS100s - which he named George.
The bike was in his possession until 1932, when he changed it for one he called George VII - and on which he was killed in a crash in 1935.
Also on show will be a 1927 JTOR V-twin JAP powered ‘Works Scrapper,’ built by Freddie Dixon, which was declared to be the world's fastest bike in 1929, with a top speed of 130mph.
The display will also include a 1926 KTOR V-tin JAP Cunliffe Brough, renowned for its striking lilac and nickel finish.
The event will be held from 9am to 5pm tomorrow and Sunday, with two SS100s expected to fetch more than £300,000 each when they go under the hammer on Sunday.
Marketing executive Eleanor Armstrong described the show as a once-in-a-lifetime event, with Brough expert Henry Cole on stage throughout the weekend.
The event will also include the sale of rare parts, spares, and memorabilia, as well as displays from motorcycle clubs and private collectors.
Tickets are priced £16.50 if bought in advance, or £21 on the gate, with free admission for under 16s.
